Foreign. The 47th meeting of the Security Council is called to order. The provisional agenda for this meeting is peace consolidation in West Africa. The agenda is adopted. In accordance with Rule 37 of the Council's Provisional Rules of Procedure, I invite the representatives of Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, and Senegal to participate in this meeting. It is so decided. In accordance with Rule 39 of the Council's Provisional Rules of Procedure, I invite His Excellency Dr. Omar Aliyu Ture, ECOWAS Commission President, to participate in this meeting. It is so decided. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of item two of the agenda. I wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S/2025/718, a letter dated 6 November 2025 from the Permanent Representative of Sierra Leone to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General. I warmly welcome the Secretary-General, His Excellency Mr. Antonio Guterres, and I give him the floor.


Mr. President, distinguished members of the Security Council, I thank the Presidency of the Council for the month, Sierra Leone, for convening this important meeting. And I thank His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio for his leadership and tireless commitment to regional peace and stability. Mr. President, we meet at a moment of profound urgency. The security situation in West Africa and the Sahel is growing more critical by the day. The recent developments in Mali are a clear reminder of what is at stake. Since September, the Jama'a Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin has disrupted fuel supplies along key corridors into Bamako. In the last months, terrorists have continued to attack military escorted convoys, killing and kidnapping both soldiers and civilians. This is causing enormous hardships for the population as fuel and the goods, markets, and basic services that rely on it are in short supply and, in some cases, vital. Humanitarian operations, including life-saving UN operations, have been forced to reduce services due to fuel shortages. If the situation continues, the consequences could be deadly for people who depend on these life-saving programs. Despite these challenges, convoys of trucks have finally been able to enter Bamako last week, and more fuel stations are seeing more supplies in recent days. But the situation remains stark for Mali, but also for Burkina Faso and, to a lesser extent, Niger. Established groups expand their reach. Several coastal states are under threat. We face the risk of a disastrous domino effect across the entire region. Many countries are reeling, and terrorism in the Sahel is not only a regional dramatic reality. Progressing links of its groups with other groups in Africa and beyond make it a growing global threat. The Sahel countries were already near the bottom of the Human Development Index, suffering from high levels of poverty, weak institutions, and the disastrous effects of climate change. Against this fragile backdrop, armed groups and terrorist networks continue to exert pressure on government forces from Jenin to the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara, which continue to grow and expand their reach to the Islamic State, West Africa Province, Boko Haram, and Lakatora, which remain active across the Lake Chad Basin, particularly in parts of Nigeria and Niger. According to the Global Terrorism Index, five of the ten countries most affected by terrorism are in the Sahel, and the Sahel accounts for 19% of global terrorist attacks and over half of global terrorism-related casualties. This violence and instability are unleashing massive suffering. According to UNHCR, about 4 million people are now displaced across Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and neighboring countries. And 14,800 schools have closed across the Sahel, along with over 900 health facilities, leaving millions without critical care. Mr. President, I see three areas of urgent action. First, this regional crisis demands a regional response, one that is unified, coherent, and consensus-based. With countries leaving ECOWAS, now is the time for dialogue and collaboration among all countries to strengthen the security and political cooperation architecture in the region. This means bridging the communication, coordination, and trust gaps between ECOWAS and the Alliance of Sahelian States with the support of the African Union and the United Nations. It means restructuring the Accra Initiative and strengthening the Multinational Joint Task Force, which remains the only functioning platform for cooperation on regional security. In the Lake Chad Basin, it means confidence building with regional neighbors like Mauritania and Algeria to address the security threats in a coordinated way. It means this Council supporting all efforts to rebuild trust and strengthen international and regional security cooperation, including among ECOWAS, the IAS, and other key countries, and it means collaborating through the Global Counterterrorism Compact and the ECOWAS Counterterrorism Strategy to share intelligence, strengthen financial tracking, and disrupt the financing and criminality that fund terrorism. I am aware of the serious political differences that exist in the region, but it is absolutely essential that despite these differences, we build a platform of cooperation among intelligence and security services of the countries of ECOWAS, Mauritania, Chad, and Algeria to allow for coordinated action against terrorism. We must also confront a stark fact: the lack of dedicated financial resources to coordinate an appropriate regional response. I recall with deep regret the lack of consensus as far back as 2017 on providing predictable and sustainable financing for the G5 Sahel initiative, namely through the UN assessed contributions. This has proven to be a strategic error with clear and dramatic consequences not only for the Sahel, but for the region and international peace and security. We cannot afford to make the same mistakes again, Mr. President. Second, humanitarian needs must be met. I call on Member States to maintain strong financial support for humanitarian response plans in the region. The six humanitarian appeals in the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin for 2025, which require a combined US$4.9 billion, remain severely underfunded. So far, less than one quarter of this has been raised and only about half of what was available at this time last year. The humanitarian response plan for Mali in particular is only 16% fulfilled, among the lowest coverage rates worldwide. The world needs to stand in full solidarity with the people of this region who are enduring a desperate level of hardship and suffering. Predictable, timely, and flexible funding is vital to sustain hope and enable rapid recovery for the region and the people who call it home. Excellencies.


Thirdly, we need a coherent development strategy which addresses the factors that give rise to terrorism. Terrorists thrive where the social contract is broken, when families are plunged into poverty and young people don't have employment, don't go to school. That's where extremism gains ground. When governance is reduced, when governments don't work, when public services deteriorate, human rights are not respected, communities are marginalized, citizens don't have any faith in their institutions. It's then that the terrorists benefit from these feelings. To repair the situation, to invest in a broad and fair development and to transform despair into positive prospects. That is our best bastion against radicalization. That implies effective solidarity on the part of the international community in order to help countries to fight hunger and poverty, to invest in health systems and inclusive sustainable development, and in climate adaptation, and to strengthen social protection and essential services. That means strengthening economic opportunities and resilience. To work with the private sector to create employment and the means of subsistence in the long term so that people can look to the future with hope rather than fear. That means extending the civic space to enable everyone to have their voice heard and to build responsible institutions and governments based on equality and inclusion. This also means establishing effective judicial systems based on the rule of law and defending human rights. Mr. President, as we attempt to respond to the crisis in the Sahel, the United Nations is determined to work with countries of the region through my special representative for West Africa and the Sahel, Mr. Leonardo Santosimo, as well as through the Global Counterterrorism Compact headed by the Counterterrorism Office. Thanks to coordinated efforts and firm political will and the support of Member States in this Council, we can provide security and stability and good prospects that the people of Africa and West Africa and the Sahel need and that they so much deserve. I thank you.


I thank the Secretary-General for his briefing. I now give the floor to His Excellency Dr. Omar Aliyu Ture. Your Excellency, Dr. Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Chair of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, and President of the Security Council for the month of November. Excellency, Secretary-General of the United Nations, Excellencies, Members of the Security Council, distinguished Permanent Representatives, Ladies and gentlemen, I thank President Bio for giving ECOWAS the opportunity to take part in this briefing on the theme Peace Consolidation in West Africa. Enhancing regional counterterrorism cooperation in West Africa and the Sahel. Whereas terrorism was initially confined to the Sahel and the Lake Chad Basin regions, today it poses an existential threat to the whole of West Africa, both the Sahel and the coastal states alike. Our most recent data has shown that from January to November 2025, approximately 450 terrorist incidents were recorded across the region, resulting in close to 2,000 deaths. Although the central Sahel accounted for about 80% of all incidents and over 85% of total fatalities, the whole of West Africa and indeed the entire African region remains exposed to the threat. In addition to the wanton killing of innocent civilians, terrorist groups have adopted a new economic warfare. They have now been restricting the supply and distribution of vital commodities such as petrol. This restriction disrupts regional trade, slows down economic activities, and inflicts serious hardship on the populations. It is in recognition that no one can fight terrorism alone that underpins counterterrorism efforts in the region, especially the drive to accelerate the operationalization and the deployment of the ECOWAS standby force. It is in this context that ECOWAS Ministers of Defence and Finance met recently to agree on the activation of the standby force. The plan is to start with a brigade of 1,650 strong personnel and increase it to 5,000 gradually. The ministers also agreed on a funding mechanism that will consist essentially of own resources as well as support from partners and the United Nations under Resolution 2719. In this regard, ECOWAS strongly calls for flexibility and strong commitment to ensuring the smooth and effective implementation of Resolution 2719. This is the only way to guarantee that African peace missions, generally known for their rapid deployment capability, are sustained and will not transition and become UN missions as we have been seeing. Besides region-wide efforts, we have seen several other initiatives such as the Accra Initiative and the Multinational Joint Task Force. Some of these initiatives, such as the MNJTF, have achieved important results. However, what we have recognized is that several other initiatives and the proliferation of several other initiatives have resulted in multiplicity and fragmentation of efforts. It has also caused problems of coordination, inclusion, and ownership. Our proposal is to have ECOWAS coordinate the various initiatives and use them as operational frameworks. This will streamline efforts, build inclusion, and promote ownership. Excellencies, if coordination and collaboration among different initiatives is critical to counterterrorism efforts, trust among Member States is a prerequisite and a cornerstone for collaboration. Trust is needed for countries to collaborate in information and intelligence sharing, joint border patrols, and joint operations. Unfortunately, the situation in our region is characterized by mistrust and high levels of suspicion among stakeholders. Therefore, I would like to call on members of this Council and indeed the international community as a whole to help us build trust. No amount of money, no amount of equipment will help us overcome terrorism if we don't collaborate and build synergy. This can be built only if we build trust. Our current differences should not be exploited; they should be bridged. This is what ECOWAS is trying to do by staying engaged with our brothers and sisters from the Alliance of Sahelian States. It is in this context that ECOWAS and the AES countries have agreed to maintain the status quo with respect to trade and free movement of people in the region pending the conclusion of a new agreement. The three countries have also indicated their intention to remain as members of some of ECOWAS agencies, notably the JABBA and the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development. Membership in JABBA is particularly important because collaboration on counterterrorism must include measures to cut funding to terrorist groups whose resource mobilization schemes include illicit resource extractions, kidnapping for ransom, theft, and trafficking funds from support networks and money laundering, use of cash and informal transfer systems, and use of emerging channels such as cryptocurrencies, mobile money, and online fraud schemes. Together and within the framework of JABBA, the West African states have broadened their counterterrorism efforts to include measures that seek to cut off funding to terrorist organizations. These include building regulatory frameworks in line with FATF's 40 recommendations, regional coordination and experience sharing, integration and adoption of global efforts, as well as operational support to bolster enforcement. Despite considerable progress in this area, formidable challenges persist, including enforcement capacity deficits, regulatory gaps, broader poverty, and chronically inadequate funding. The extraordinarily low rate of terrorist financing prosecutions indicates that financiers continue operating with substantial impunity despite improved frameworks. Excellency, to conclude, allow me to reiterate ECOWAS leaders' commitment to strengthening counterterrorism initiatives that consist of both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches. These initiatives must be underpinned by broader collaboration among all stakeholders. We must build trust to optimize collaboration and results not only in kinetic operations but also in non-kinetic efforts such as cutting off the source of financing for terrorist groups. Because terrorism threatens all of us, regional efforts require the support of the United Nations and all partners. Indeed, the United Nations and all other partners have a critical role to play in our regional efforts. I thank you for your attention.


I thank His Excellency Dr. Ture for his briefing. I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone. Excellency Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, distinguished members of the Security Council. I address this Council today with a profound sense of urgency and hopefully shared alarm. Sierra Leone convened this briefing not just to discuss a regional crisis, but to defend a principle that maintaining international peace and security is a collective responsibility, that Africa's peace is not a favor to be granted, but the foundation of global stability. We, however, meet at a time in which silence has fallen. Deafening silence has fallen over a region in anguish. During the high-level week of the 80th United Nations General Assembly, the words spoke on many priorities. Yet very little was said of the escalating insecurity in the Sahel and parts of West Africa. That silence must now be broken. Despite the courage and commitment of Member States in the region, the threat of terrorism and violent extremism continues to outpace our collective response. Today's discussion is therefore not about the Sahel alone. It is about our shared future, the credibility of multilateralism, and the soul of international peace and security. I thank the Secretary-General and Dr. Omar Aliyu Ture, President of the ECOWAS Commission, for their insightful briefings and steadfast leadership. I also warmly welcome the representatives of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. Your presence reflects courage, commitment, and the will to engage. And we must seize this opportunity for renewed partnership. Excellencies, in recent weeks I heard frank and forward-looking discussions with the Secretary-General, particularly on the situation in Mali. I'm encouraged by his personal commitment and by the UN's continued support for our region's security, humanitarian, and development challenges. Yet the picture before us is stark. What began as a localized threat has metastasized into the epicenter of global terrorism. ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and their affiliates now operate with unprecedented sophistication and reach. They are not just attacking states; they are attempting to dismantle states. We must also confront the uncomfortable truth: the destabilization of Libya in 2011 unleashed a torrent of arms, disorder, and militant expansion across the Sahel. Today's insecurity is in part the result of yesterday's global choices. We are not here to apportion blame because there is enough to go wrong, but to shoulder our shared responsibility for the consequences. Behind every statistic lies a human story. Families uprooted, children conscripted, women violated, communities impoverished. This is not simply a security crisis. It is a crisis of governance, of opportunity, and of justice. Sierra Leone knows too well from bitter experience that peace cannot be imposed by force alone. It must be cultivated through inclusion, trust, and hope. That is why we champion a comprehensive approach combining military effort with governance reforms, service delivery, and economic renewal. Security must be paired with legitimacy. Distinguished members of the Security Council, I speak today not only as President of Sierra Leone, but as Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, representing over 242 million citizens bound by history, culture, and destiny. ECOWAS was not born out of convenience, but conviction. The conviction that our peace, prosperity, and progress must be shared or not at all. In this defining moment, we must reimagine ECOWAS not just as a regional bloc, but as a community of courage, the moral compass, and establishing the Force of Africa. Our region has stood shoulder to shoulder with the United Nations in some of the greatest tests, brokering peace in Liberia and Sierra Leone, leading health emergency responses, and supporting democratic transitions. Yet today, that trust is being tested. The absence of a credible, coordinated international response has left our people asking, does global solidarity still hold meaning? The Charter of the United Nations obliges us to act in the face of threats to peace. Terrorism in the Sahel is such a threat. And as you all know, when Africa's peace is threatened, the world cannot remain safe. If Africa burns, the world will feel the heat. Excellencies, I would like to present three clear messages to this Council and to the international community. The first is on democratic governance and regional unity. Sierra Leone and ECOWAS remain steadfast in defending democratic norms, constitutional order, and the rule of law. We have maintained a principled stance of zero tolerance for unconstitutional changes of government. But principle must work with pragmatism. We must engage directly with affected states, rebuild trust, and support nationally owned transition processes. The peoples of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger are our neighbors and kin. We share geography and destiny. ECOWAS has kept its doors open, therefore preserving dialogue, people-to-people ties, and technical cooperation. We will continue to do so until full reintegration is possible. Political transitions must never obstruct cooperation on shared security. The second point is on the fight against terrorism and violent extremism. The time for declarations has passed. This is a moment for bold and coordinated action. More than half of all terrorism-related deaths worldwide now occur in our region. If we fail to act decisively, the Sahel will become a permanent sanctuary for extremist enclaves, just hours away from major global cities. These groups, aided by criminal networks and sophisticated weaponry, often outgun national forces and exploit porous borders. Intelligence sharing, air mobility, logistics, and surveillance support are not optional; they are essential tools for protection and hope. The third point is on regional security coordination. ECOWAS has already taken decisive steps, including initiating the activation of the standby force. Sierra Leone has agreed to host the ECOWAS Logistics Depot in Longe, an operational hub for peace support and counterterrorism operations. However, no regional force can succeed in isolation. Security Council Resolution 2719 opened the door for predictable and sustainable UN support to African Union-led peace support operations. That door must now be walked through. We therefore call on the United Nations Secretariat and the African Union to work with ECOWAS in implementing Resolution 2719 to establish the mandate, secure the funding, and deploy the assets required. The credibility of the United Nations collective security framework depends on timely action. Excellencies, we acknowledge that the Council has provided a strong normative framework through resolutions 1473, 2178, 2370, 2482, and 2719. To move from mandates to means. Sierra Leone, as Chair of ECOWAS, proposes an ECOWAS-UN-AU Compact for Peace and Resilience in the Sahel. This is a coordinated mechanism to align security, governance, and humanitarian action. This compact would ensure predictable finance, coherent operations, and measurable outcomes across the Sahel and wider West Africa. We must also confront the widening trust deficit between ECOWAS and the Alliance of Sahel States, between global partners, and between former colonizers and independent states. That gap can divide us or it can be closed through renewed cooperation. Let us therefore view the AES not as adversaries but as partners anchored in shared priorities and security imperatives. The AES framework can complement ECOWAS and the African Union-wide. The United Nations, through UNOWAS and UNOCT, can facilitate joint platforms, fusion centers, and real-time coordination. As ECOWAS Chair, I have personally engaged with affected countries, including a recent visit to Burkina Faso, to promote dialogue and rebuild trust. I urge others to act in that same spirit of goodwill and solidarity. Excellencies, we must dismantle the financial architecture of terrorism, the illicit trade in arms, illicit substances, minerals, and people fear instability. Stronger border controls, customs enforcement, and cooperation with INTERPOL, AFRIPOL, and the Financial Action Task Force are essential. But as we dismantle networks of violence, we must build networks of resilience. Our youth and women are the front line of prevention, peacebuilding, and recovery. They must be empowered and included at every level of response. The humanitarian toll is staggering. Displacement is rising, livelihoods are collapsing, and millions face despair. The international community must expand humanitarian support, protect access, and link emergency aid to long-term recovery. Ultimately, no strategy will succeed without rebuilding trust among states and between governments and citizens. Transitions must be credible and inclusive. The social contract must be renewed through justice, transparency, and opportunity. The people of West Africa and the Sahel do not ask for pity; they simply ask for partnership. They deserve to live in dignity, free from fear and full of hope. With unity of purpose, political will, and genuine solidarity, that future is within reach. Sierra Leone, as Chair of the ECOWAS Authority, pledges continued leadership and partnership with the African Union, the United Nations, and all global allies to restore peace and chart a new path forward. This is not just West Africa's crisis; it is a global test of leadership, solidarity, and resolve. History will remember not the scale of our challenges, but the strength of our cooperation and resolve. Let us not leave this chamber with more words, but with renewed will, the will to act, the will to heal, and to restore hope. If we rise together today, we will not only save nations, but we will also restore the faith that the United Nations still means what its name proclaims. The time for sustained collective action is now. Thank you.


I thank the representative of the United States for this statement. I now give the floor to the representative of China.


Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you for chairing this important meeting. Thank you to our briefers, Secretary-General Guterres and ECOWAS Commission President, Dr. Ture. Colleagues, as we speak, Al-Qaeda affiliated terrorists in the Sahel have paralyzed Mali with a fuel blockade. Colleagues, the situation is dire.


Take over the entire country.


The United States acknowledges the counterterrorism efforts.


Of the Malian Armed Forces against these.


And other terrorist organizations such as ISIS Sahel. But the situation is worsening quickly. We remain deeply concerned about the incidents.


Of kidnapping, the incidents of hostage-taking.


Across the Sahel as a means to finance these terrorist activities. Unfortunately, since the veto of the UN sanctions regime in 2023, it has been deeply disappointing to see Mali's security situation continue to deteriorate. That decision removed critical tools from the international community that it relied on to promote accountability and to promote stability.


And the result has been an uptick.


A massive surge in violence has been a shrinking space for dialogue and growing risk for civilians. Across the country and across the region.


The terrorist threats are not only intensifying; they are spreading.


They are shifting southward, as evidenced by the terrorist attacks we've seen in Benin and Togo. But particularly the United States is concerned and outraged by the ongoing slaughter of thousands of Christians in Nigeria by various ethnic militias in the Middle Belt, as well as terrorists like Boko Haram and ISIS West Africa in the north. It is tragic and it is unacceptable.


Churches are burning, villages are being raised.


Thousands are killed, clergy murdered simply for wearing a cross, for being a Christian, for daring to say they worship Jesus as Christ. Just yesterday, just yesterday, 25 little girls, little girls were kidnapped from their school.


And one school official murdered trying to.


Protect them from Maga Comprehensive Girls Secondary School in Kebbi State.


Colleagues, this is happening. It's undeniable and it's unacceptable. The United States condemns these attacks.


In the strongest terms and it demands accountability.


And as President Trump has made clear.


We will not stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria.


The government of Nigeria must take immediate.


Steps and do more to increase security.


Respond to early warnings, end impunity, and address the drivers of violence.


And colleagues, we need to see African leadership on these matters and we need.


To see a coordinated response among all.


Countries in the region. The situation is critical. The United States will continue to work with regional partners to counter these common threats. Thank you, Mr. President.


I thank the representative of the United States for this statement. I now give the floor to the representative of China.


Mr. President, I commend Sierra Leone for taking the initiative to convene this important meeting and welcome you to New York to preside over it. I thank Secretary-General Guterres and President Ture for their briefings. I welcome representatives of regional countries to the meeting. Mr. President, at present, in West Africa and the Sahel, terrorist and extremist forces and transnational criminal groups are intensifying their inclusion and rampant activities further worsening the security situation. The international community needs to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with regional countries and provide greater support for peace consolidation in the region. I wish to make three points. First, it's important to enhance regional countries' own counterterrorism capacity in the face of an increasingly complex and severe counterterrorism landscape. Only by building professional, efficient, and well-equipped security forces can West African countries effectively combat terrorist forces and truly reverse the situation. The international community needs to embrace common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security and provide tailored assistance to regional countries to close the gaps in funding, intelligence, equipment, and logistics. Among others, as counterterrorism capacity building concerns the internal affairs of states, the international community, when providing assistance, must fully respect the sovereignty and leadership of the countries concerned and support regional countries in adopting policies and actions suited to their national circumstances. Second, it's important to strengthen common security in West Africa. Recently, terrorist groups have launched frequent attacks using drones and other new weapons, expanding their reach towards the West African coast while exerting pressure on countries concerned through fuel blockades, armed kidnappings, and other means, which is deeply concerning. As various security threats are increasingly interconnected, regional countries must coordinate and cooperate in their response. The international community should support regional mechanisms such as ECOWAS, the Alliance of Sahelian States, and the Multinational Joint Task Force in strengthening collaboration and enhancing coordination in joint military operations, border patrols and controls, and the escort of strategic supplies so as to strengthen cooperation networks and the synergy of efforts. China supports African solutions to African problems and expects the full operationalization of Security Council Resolution 2719 to provide adequate, predictable, and sustainable funding support for AU-led peace operations. Third, it is important for the focus on the sustainable development of regional countries. Some countries in West Africa and the Sahel have weak economic foundations and inadequate social services, which provides a breeding ground for terrorist organizations to spread extremist ideologies and recruit members. To achieve lasting peace and stability in the region, it is essential to address socioeconomic challenges and eliminate the root causes of terrorism. The international community should not only focus on short-term support such as humanitarian assistance but also on long-term investments in areas such as poverty alleviation, employment, and infrastructure. To help regional countries enhance their capacity for sustainable development, special attention should be paid to the development of youth by providing them with education and vocational skills training, as well as employment and entrepreneurship support, guiding them to play a role in conflict prevention, resolution, and reducing the impact of terrorism on young people. Mr. President, China always firmly supports Africa's peace and security and resolutely opposes terrorism in all its forms. For a long time, through platforms such as the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the China-UN Peace and Development Trust Fund, China has supported countries in West Africa and the Sahel in strengthening capacity building and conducting counterterrorism operations, which have been warmly welcomed by regional countries. Guided by the Global Security Initiative and Global Governance Initiative, China will work with the international community to enhance counterterrorism cooperation in West Africa and the Sahel and make greater contributions to peace and security in the region and across Africa.


Thank you, President. I thank the representative of China for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of the United Kingdom. Thank you, President Bio for convening this meeting and for your leadership on this issue. I also thank the Secretary-General and Dr. Ture for briefing us today. Colleagues, the United Kingdom shares the concern that Islamic State and Al-Qaeda affiliates are continuing to expand across West Africa and the Sahel, driving instability and committing.


And the Sahel, driving instability and committing.


Deadly attacks against civilians. The fuel blockade in Mali imposed by.


Al-Qaeda affiliate JNIM illustrates the increasingly sophisticated tactics used by these groups. So I'll make three points. First, regional security and political cooperation is critical to addressing the threat of terrorism in West Africa and the Sahel. We welcome the increased engagement between states in the region and encourage ECOWAS and AES members to continue deepening dialogue. We also welcome UNOWAS efforts to facilitate cooperation. Regionally led security initiatives can play an important role in tackling the threat from terrorism. We welcome the work towards a standby force to enable rapid deployment to counter shared threats and the work to build on the Multinational Joint Task Force and ECOWAS counterterrorism strategy. We also note that the landmark Security Council Resolution 2719 offers a potential tool through UN support to AU-led peace operations. Second, the UK remains committed to working with African partners and supporting African-led initiatives to promote stability and security.


UK support includes funding and training for.


Nigeria's Counterterrorism Centre, Côte d'Ivoire's Counterterrorism Academy, and the Regional Intelligence Fusion Unit, which supports the Multinational Joint Task Force. These initiatives, working together, help strengthen intelligence.


Sharing and regional resilience.


We also encourage countries of the region to choose security partners carefully to avoid worsening the threat posed. Third, to defeat terrorism and insecurity, we must tackle the drivers. This includes improving governance, reducing poverty, countering disinformation, protecting civic space, and tackling climate change. Without progress in these areas, conflict and terrorism will continue to destroy local communities and disrupt livelihoods with disproportionate harm to women and children. The UK remains committed to working with partners to address these drivers. I thank you.


I thank the representative of the United Kingdom for the statement and I'll give the floor to the representative of Denmark.


Thank you, President Bio. Let me also thank Secretary-General Guterres and ECOWAS Commission President Dr. Ture for their truly insightful remarks. Thank you for demonstrating the interconnected nature of the security threats facing West Africa and the Sahel and for your recommendations on how to face them. I would also like to recognize the participation of the countries from the region in this meeting. We are deeply concerned about the deteriorating security situation in the Sahel and the dire humanitarian consequences of the violence. These challenges transcend borders, reminding us that instability anywhere is a threat to stability everywhere. Mr. President, I will raise three points. First, regional cooperation forms the backbone of any effort to confront this fluid cross-border nature of terrorism. ECOWAS is well placed as a regional actor, bringing together the collective strength of the region. For this approach to be effective, all regional actors must support a comprehensive regional approach and coordinated effort. In this regard, we strongly encourage Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to recommit to international and regional cooperation, including with ECOWAS and the EU. The development of a joint regional counterterrorism strategy with support from the UN would constitute a strong step forward. Such a strategy should align with ECOWAS existing efforts and with other regional initiatives such as a revitalized Accra Initiative and should also consider the approach of the Multinational Joint Task Force. It is in the national security interest of all of us to tackle terrorism and to do so in a manner consistent with international humanitarian law and international human rights law. We should have effective rule of law compliant response mechanisms in place to counter the threat when it materializes into planning and attacks. Failure to uphold human rights and the rule of law will only further erode trust in national authorities, push people into the arms of violent extremism, and contribute to aggravate security issues in the Sahel. Second, Mr. President, preventive action is always the most effective action. Advancing the implementation of the youth peace and security agenda is a cornerstone for strengthening preventive action. When young people are offered real opportunities across societies, they gain solid ground to stand on skills, purpose, and a sense of belonging. These opportunities become a bridge away from the pull of extremist movement and towards a future where they can see and build alternative paths for themselves. Responses to terrorism and violent extremism that rely too narrowly on security measures risk undermining local prevention and peacebuilding efforts, many of which are led by women and youth, and their voices must be at the center of our responses. Third, Mr. President, the UN also has an important role to play in addressing the multidimensional challenges the region faces. Denmark calls on all countries in the region to collaborate with the UN. Denmark is a firm supporter of Resolution 2719, and we stand ready to consider its future potential relevance should there be appetite in the region. In this Council and in the EU, UNOWAS provides important support to regional dialogue and mediation as well as efforts to strengthen the women, peace, and security agenda and provide assistance to nationally owned prevention initiatives. This work remains critical and requires our collective support. Denmark is pleased to work with Sierra Leone as penholder for UNOWAS, and we look forward to working with all Council members on the renewal of its mandate that expires in January 2026. In conclusion, Mr. President, we believe we need to invest in both protection and prevention in order to counter the spread of terrorism from the Sahel to the coastal states of West Africa and to the wider region. A critical first step is to ensure political commitment to regional and international cooperation from all actors. Denmark is a long-standing partner of West Africa and the Sahel, including in areas of counterterrorism, peacebuilding, development cooperation, and humanitarian aid. We will continue to cooperate with the region in pursuing collective solutions to shared challenges. I thank you.


I thank the representative of Denmark for the statement and I'll give the floor to the representative of Pakistan.


Thank you, Mr. President. We thank Sierra Leone for organizing this important briefing and for your leadership in keeping the Council's attention focused on the evolving security dynamics in West Africa and the Sahel. We also thank the Secretary-General and Mr. Ture for their briefings. We also welcome the participation of the countries of the region, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, Senegal, Burkina Faso, and Ghana in today's meeting. We appreciate your statement in particular, Mr. President, that highlights the sense of urgency and shared alarm and underlines the need for bold collective and comprehensive action. And we take note that today's discussion gels well with other meetings under your presidency, such as on small arms and the conflict-food security nexus. Pakistan reaffirms its steadfast commitment to the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of African countries. And we stand in solidarity with the people of West Africa and the Sahel in particular, who are confronted with the scourge of terrorism and violence. As a frontline state in the global counterterrorism efforts, Pakistan has made enormous sacrifices, over 80,000 casualties and billions of dollars in economic losses. And many of the most notable successes in the international community's collective action against terrorism have been achieved through Pakistan's efforts and cooperation. Having dismantled Al-Qaeda and its affiliates in our region, we nevertheless continue to face threats from terrorist groups such as the TTP, Daesh, BLA, and the Majid Brigade that operate with the support and sponsorship of our neighbor. The global terrorism landscape has evolved significantly since the adoption of Security Council Resolution 1373. The deteriorating security situation in the Sahel is deeply alarming. According to the Global Terrorism Index 2025, five of the ten countries worst affected by terrorism remain in the Sahel. We are also concerned by the proliferation of terrorist threats to coastal West Africa, with cross-border attacks affecting several regional countries. Terrorist groups are operating with impunity in ungoverned spaces in the Sahel, Horn of Africa, and Cabo Delgado. Al-Qaeda, Daesh affiliates like the Islamic State of Greater Sahel and JNIM are actively expanding in West Africa and the Sahel, exploiting porous borders, weak governance, and illicit trafficking, and sustaining their operations by fomenting instability. At the informal interactive dialogue on this topic, also proposed by Sierra Leone and held during Pakistan's presidency of the Council in July earlier this year, we welcomed steps taken by the AU and African countries to combat terrorism and efforts to implement the UN Integrated Strategy for the Sahel. I will make a few points here. As a foremost priority, all nations of the Sahel and West Africa must rebuild and strengthen mutual trust to restore confidence and solidarity. This was emphasized by you, Mr. President, as well as the President of the ECOWAS Commission. Close collaboration is crucial for mounting an effective and coordinated response to terrorism and extremism through a collective security architecture for combating terrorism and armed groups that operate across international borders. A multidimensional approach is needed to combat terrorism with a combination of kinetic and non-kinetic actions through a comprehensive approach that addresses political grievances, economic deprivation, and social alienation to promote good governance, social cohesion, and economic resilience. Regional cooperation remains the cornerstone of an effective counterterrorism strategy. Frameworks such as under ECOWAS, the Accra Initiative, the Nouakchott Process, and the Multinational Joint Task Force must be strengthened and adequately resourced. The AU and sub-regional organizations may also explore partnerships with regional organizations such as the Arab League and the OIC. We welcome the establishment of the ECOWAS Standby Force and the continuing dialogue between ECOWAS and the Alliance of Sahel States. These initiatives are reflective of African solutions to African problems. Enhanced integration and coordination will be vital, as also underlined by Mr. Ture. The UN must assist AU-led enforcement missions with equipment, training, and technical assistance to enhance capacity building for regional actors. UNOWAS and UNOCT should continue to support these efforts. Pakistan also stands ready to share its counterterrorism experience, including expertise in intelligence coordination, border management, and de-radicalization. The implementation of UNSC Resolution 2719 must be prioritized. It provides a framework for predictable and sustainable financing for AU-led operations, a long-standing and legitimate demand of our African partners. We must review the impact of sanctions regimes that may inadvertently hinder governance and development, thereby creating fertile ground for extremist exploitation. The scope of the 1267 sanctions regime as the only regime to list terrorist individuals and entities may be broadened to address Africa's terrorism challenges that transcend national boundaries. National institutions must be strengthened to address new and emerging threats. The terrorist use of emerging technologies such as the Dark Web for online radicalization, incitement to violence, cryptocurrency, terror financing, propaganda, and disinformation requires coordinated global responses. We must address the root causes of terrorism in Africa, including poverty, economic hardships, issues of governance, small arms proliferation, organized crime, illicit economies, drug trafficking, illicit resource exploitation, environmental degradation, and foreign interventions. This requires sustained investment in development, inclusion, and human dignity to empower youth and women, promoting education, creating livelihoods, and fostering trust in state institutions. Counterterrorism and human rights are not mutually exclusive; rather, they are mutually reinforcing pillars of sustainable peace. Pakistan's partnership with Africa is deep and historic. Having close fraternal ties with West Africa and the Sahel region, we support initiatives that promote political stability and development. Our support for Africa's stabilization dates back to the 60s, with Pakistani contingents having participated for decades in peacekeeping missions across the DRC, Central African Republic, Mali, Sudan, and South Sudan. We take pride in our contributions and successful endeavors to restore peace in West Africa, including in Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire, and your own country and our friend Sierra Leone. The people of West Africa and the Sahel deserve a future defined not by fear, but by peace, dignity, and development. Achieving this vision requires sustainable political will, free choices, and independent decision-making, predictable international support, and collective resolve to address the underlying issues. Pakistan will continue to play its part in realizing this goal. I thank you.


I thank the representative of Pakistan for the statement and I give the floor to the representative of Algeria. Thank you, Mr. President. At the outset, I thank Sierra Leone and His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio for convening this important and timely briefing on enhancing regional counterterrorism cooperation in West Africa and the Sahel. I also thank the briefers, the Secretary-General, Mr. Antonio Guterres, and the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Aliyu Ture, for their insightful presentation. Mr. President, the violence we confront today in the Sahel region can no longer be seen as an isolated incident. It has evolved into an ever-expanding and structured threat. Terrorist organizations are extending their geographical reach, enhancing their operational sophistication, establishing connections with international criminal networks, and developing autonomous financial systems driven by drug trafficking and kidnapping for ransom. This escalation is largely facilitated by our fragmented collective efforts. Political vacuums and insufficient coordination among stakeholders create conditions for these terrorist groups to systematically exploit to expand their influence. Mr. President, my country, Algeria, places the fight against terrorism and its financing at the forefront of its national and regional commitment. This stance is rooted in a bitter and hard-won national experience in the struggle against terrorism. It is also reinforced by Algeria's pivotal leadership in driving and coordinating the African Union's counterterrorism agenda. It is embodied in the 1999 Algiers Convention, which continues to guide African continental strategies. Finally, it was reaffirmed during our signature event in January 2025 during our presidency of this August body, and it has been further consolidated during our two years' presidency of the Security Council Counterterrorism Committee, notably through the adoption of what is now called the Algeria Guideline, the Algeria Guiding Principles on new financial technologies. Mr. President, this commitment is crucial in our immediate neighborhood, given our shared borders with the Sahel, one of the regions most affected by terrorism. In our view, a collective response to terrorism impacting the Sahel region and more broadly the West African region must consider the following priorities. First, there is no alternative to regional coordination. Various frameworks and mechanisms exist providing our states with tools to combine actions to strengthen capacities and to address this common threat together, not individually. Second, improving the alignment of the various security initiatives and platforms in West Africa is essential to strengthen synergy. This objective can be meaningfully advanced by drawing on existing African Union mechanisms, notably CISSA, AFRIPOL, and the African Union Counterterrorism Center. These organs are all designed and mandated to facilitate coherence and support collective action. Third, efforts should be united under a common broad regional strategy supported by all states of the region to ensure effective action and better resource mobilization. Indeed, a shared vision will encourage partners to provide financial and material support to regional initiatives. We are all aware that building trust among political leaders in our region may take time. But the threat that looms over all of us requires us at the very least to engage in security cooperation and intelligence sharing, including with bordering countries of the West African countries. Operational measures such as cross-border cooperation and joint border monitoring must be reinvigorated. Unfortunately, and especially in the field of intelligence, each country still largely acts alone. We are sure that practical approaches offer a pathway to strengthen regional security. We are sure that a more structured, closer collaboration is needed to generate the collective situational awareness required to confront this important evolving threat. Mr. President, it is equally essential to cut off the financial lifelines that enable terrorist groups to operate and to expand. Strengthening financial oversight, combating illicit trafficking networks, and enhancing cooperation on tracing and freezing assets are key steps to dismantling these sources of funding and undermining terrorist organizations. Sixth, addressing seriously the root causes that fuel terrorism must go hand in hand with security measures. Development, good governance, and restoration of essential public services are not optional elements; they are integral components of any effective and sustainable counterterrorism strategy. To conclude, President, Algeria reaffirms our commitment to sharing our expertise, strengthening partnerships, and actively supporting a broad regional response to terrorism. I thank you.


Thank you, Mr. President. We thank Sierra Leone for keeping this Council's attention focused on the situation in West Africa and the Sahel and for fostering spaces for dialogue that drive collective action. We are very grateful to the Secretary-General, Mr. Antonio Guterres, and to Dr. Omar Ture, ECOWAS Commission President. We thank them both for their valuable briefings. We recognize that the recent informal interactive dialogue revealed useful areas of convergence to continue addressing this threat, and this demonstrated the importance of rebuilding trust between all actors. The events in Mali and the Lake Chad Basin reflect the severity of a phenomenon that continues to expand, taking lives, displacing populations, destroying livelihoods, and weakening institutions. Panama strongly condemns these terrorist actions and expresses its solidarity with all people affected. The fight against terrorism and violent extremism is a priority for my country. We cannot allow states to fall into the hands of organizations and doctrines that undermine peace, human dignity, and sustainable development. Lasting peace requires a comprehensive approach that combines security, development, and democratic governance. This means strengthening institutions, promoting justice, ensuring education, and generating opportunities that prevent violence and radicalization. The full participation of all sectors of society, women, youth, academia, and the private sector is essential for conflict prevention and social reconstruction. The recent interaction between this body and the Peace and Security Council of the African Union demonstrated that only with sustained political will can we reverse the current trend. Mr. President, we must address the root causes of violence, poverty, inequality, climate change, weak institutions, lack of trust, and a lack of socioeconomic opportunities. Prevention and peacebuilding are the most effective antidotes and require that no one be left behind. That's why it's essential to restore political trust between the region's leaders. This requires constructive and continuous dialogue, solidarity, and a shared vision to bring about reconciliation. Timely information sharing, especially of intelligence, will be key to anticipating threats and responding effectively. The region has valuable mechanisms to fight terrorism, for example, the Accra Initiative, the Multinational Joint Task Force, the ECOWAS Standby Force, and African Union frameworks. However, we must ensure that these mechanisms are given adequate funding, that they are transparent, and that there are strong monitoring as well as accountability systems. In these efforts, the support of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel is key in building trust, forging connections, and translating progress into tangible benefits for communities. Likewise, international cooperation, including technical assistance guided by the United Nations Office of Counterterrorism, must be strengthened in order to support comprehensive responses. Panama reiterates its condemnation of the link between terrorism and organized crime. Accountability is imperative. Those involved in illicit activities, including arms, drugs, and natural resource trafficking that finance violence must be brought to justice. The evolution of terrorism, including through the use of new and emerging technologies, requires us to update our capabilities. And finally, Panama underscores that all counterterrorism measures must fully comply with states' international obligations concerning human rights, refugee law, and international humanitarian law. Respect for fundamental rights and counterterrorism action are mutually reinforcing. President, Panama will continue to support the efforts of this Council and of African states to build peace and to guarantee a safer, fairer region that is focused on sustainable development. Thank you very much.


I thank the representative of Panama for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of the Republic of South Korea.


Representative of the Republic of South Korea

Mr. President, I thank Secretary-General Guterres and Dr. Turay for their informative briefing. I also welcome the representatives of Mali, Senegal, Burkina Faso, and Ghana to today's meeting.


As the earlier briefings made clear, terrorist threats in the Sahel continue to expand amid declining international attention while disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable groups such as women and children. In this regard, I'd like to highlight three points today. First, the terrorism landscape in the Sahel demands a comprehensive, coordinated, and forward-looking response. Armed groups such as Zenim are adopting advanced technologies like weaponized drones and anti-aircraft capabilities. This is reshaping the security environment and making effective countermeasures more difficult. Their recruitment tactics have also become more sophisticated, using social media and AI tools to target urban youth as well as the diaspora community abroad. Given the influence of violent extremist relatives in conflict-affected areas, it is essential for relevant authorities to harness AI to enhance threat detection, counter extremist messaging, and strengthen information integrity. In this context, the Republic of Korea is working with UNOCT on the project AI and Preventing Countering Violent Extremism, which not only examines how terrorists employ AI in their narratives but also supports Member States in developing AI-enabled tools to counter these tactics. We consider the project's results highly relevant for the Seoul authorities seeking to mediate extremist activities, and we welcome engagement from interested states in support of this effort.


Second, an integrated regional strategy across the Central Sahel and coastal states of East Africa is essential to dismantle cross-border terrorist networks. In this regard, we urge the expansion and strengthening of joint regional counterterrorism initiatives. The ACCRA initiative, with participation of seven African states, achieved promising results in this early stage, and we hope to see its revitalization. The MNJTF has also made progress, but the withdrawal of NIZIL this year has slowed its momentum. We hope that new bridges can be built to facilitate effective transboundary counterterrorism in the Lake Chad Basin. The international community, including the Council, must stand ready to support any potential African-led initiative. However, such support is most effective when grounded in strong regional cooperation. Given the weakened regional cooperation following AES withdrawal from ECOWAS, the most important factor in establishing such a framework is to rebuild the trust of the two sides. As both alliances share the goal of countering terrorism, we encourage them to begin with practical achievable steps such as information sharing and gradually expanding and deepening their cooperation.


Third, terrorism in West Africa and the Sahel is a multidimensional crisis driven by political, economic, social, and security factors. Extremist groups prey on young people struggling with poverty and unemployment. This is what makes the situation in Bakamur, Mali especially alarming, where education and economic activity have been crippled by the current Zenim blockade. Climate-induced shocks to agriculture and pastoral regimes also exacerbate the spread of terrorism. Strengthening governance is equally critical. Weak state authority creates space for cross-border terrorist groups to expand, while corruption and discrimination can fuel local dissatisfaction. Upcoming elections in Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Benin, and Gambia must therefore serve as the opportunity to reinforce governance and state legitimacy. Mr. President, restoring security, rebuilding peace, and creating resilient foundations take time, but they are indispensable to achieve lasting solutions. It is in this context that the Republic of Korea contributed a total of US$14 billion last year to help address this crisis in West Africa and Syria. We'll continue to support not only urgent humanitarian needs but also the long-term resilience of the countries in the region.


I thank the representative of the Republic of South Korea for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Greece.


Mr. President, thank you for convening this meeting. As you said, it is about time to break the silence. What we heard here today and in this context, I would like to thank the Secretary-General and the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Aliya Ture, for their insightful briefings. Clearly, they demonstrate that the security situation in West Africa and the Sahel is deeply alarming. We cannot stand silent. The region now accounts for over half of global terrorist deaths, while violence linked to jihadist movements has reached unprecedented levels. According to the ECO, the recent terrorist attacks in the region affecting both Christian and Muslim communities are a stark reminder that terrorism and intercommunal violence recognize no faith or frontier. Affiliates of Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, including Zenim, ICGS, and IAS WAP, continue to exploit governance vacuums, illicit economies, and porous borders. Allow me to highlight three points. First, the need for strengthened regional cooperation with the support of the international community. Regional ownership supported by international solidarity remains essential to reversing current trends. The transnational nature of these threats requires well-coordinated responses. Greece fully supports the implementation of the Council's resolutions, particularly 1373, 2396, 2482, and 2719, which provide the framework for counterterrorism, prevention of arms trafficking, and sustainable support of AU-led peace operations. Further, we are closely following the evolving relationship between AES and ECOWAS and welcome cooperative efforts such as the anti-Jihadist Joint Force by the AES. Greece, as a new member state, supports the MNJTF mission that remains the only fully operational security entity in the region. As an EU member state, we consistently support the funding of this critical regional force through the EPF. Likewise, we welcome efforts strengthening the ACCRA Initiative, the AU-ECOWAS Joint Threat Fusion and Analysis Cell, as well as the activation of the AU and ECOWAS standby force.


Second, equally concerning is the spillover of violence to the coastal states and the Gulf of Guinea, where terrorist groups threaten vital maritime routes. This region, home to nearly 1500 vessels daily and handling a quarter of Africa's maritime trade, faces increasing risks from piracy, trafficking, and illegal unreported and unregulated fishing. The latter costs West African nations up to $11 billion annually. Greece reaffirms its commitment to strengthening coastal security. Seventy-two Greek shipping companies have signed the Gulf of Guinea Declaration on the Suppression of Piracy, while Greek naval personnel participated in the exercise of BengalExpress 2024 in Ghana alongside African, US, and European partners. These joint exercises strengthen regional readiness and enhance local capacity against maritime threats.


Third, on the centrality of human security and inclusion, terrorism and instability inflict a devastating toll on communities, especially on women, girls, and children. Greece aligns itself firmly with the WPS agenda and advocates for the meaningful participation of women in prevention, mediation, and reconstruction initiatives. In this regard, we commend the vital work of the G5 Sahel women's platform, which has been instrumental in amplifying women's voices, advancing early warning initiatives, and fostering community resilience. As UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahuz recently reminded us, life for women in parts of the Sahel is one of erasure from public space. In Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Chad, more than 1 million girls have lost access to education due to school closures under extremist control. While abduction has become a deliberate tactic of terror, Mr. President, inaction in the Sahel and West Africa carries too high a cost. Greece stands ready to assist regional efforts with international partners to reinforce cooperation, strengthen governance, and promote sustainable, inclusive development. Through solidarity, coordination, and shared responsibility, the region can turn fragility into resilience and insecurity into peace. I thank you.


I thank the representative of Greece for the statement and I'll give the floor to the representative of Slovenia.


Thank you, Mr. President. As the calls of urgency come directly from the region, we thank Sierra Leone for convening today's briefing on counterterrorism in West Africa, and we also thank the Secretary-General, the ECOWAS Commission President, and you, Mr. President, for valuable insights. This morning we heard a lot to reflect on, and we should heed the appeals of the region addressed to the United Nations and to the Security Council. Mr. President, we share everyone's assessment that terrorism remains the gravest security threat facing the region in an already complex social, political, and climate environment. It is one of the main drivers of instability. It displaces whole communities, fuels hunger, closes schools, erodes trust, and tears the very fabric of societies. Slovenia condemns in the strongest terms the actions of terrorists and violent extremist groups across the Sahel. The international community, in close partnership with the region, must use every means at our disposal to cut off the financing of terrorism, prevent the links between terrorist groups and organized crime, and halt the flow of arms and ammunition, cease the fueling of social, ethnic, and religious divides, and address the root causes and local grievances before they are exploited by violent groups. We must prioritize the empowerment and employment of youth and the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women. We must address climate security risks, environmental degradation, and shrinking livelihoods, and invest in community resilience and local peacebuilding, ensuring that development, humanitarian, and peace efforts reinforce each other. All this and more is urgently needed to stop the attacks, protect civilians, safeguard women and girls, and bring back children and youth who have been recruited by terrorist groups back to their classrooms and back to safety, to enable unhindered humanitarian access, and to ensure that communities themselves are empowered as partners in prevention. At the same time, Slovenia urges counterterrorism efforts to be grounded in respect for international law, embedding human rights protection in all operations, ensuring strict compliance with international humanitarian law, international refugee law, and international human rights law are not impediments to action. Quite the opposite, justice and accountability are essential to achieving lasting results, and democratic governance and free civic space form the very foundations of sustainable peace. Finally, Slovenia strongly encourages regional unity and cooperation in counterterrorism and violent extremism. As the Secretary-General recently underlined, and I quote, "trust must be urgently restored and cooperation between countries across the region must be re-established." End of quote. Building trust is indeed emerging as a crucial takeaway from the meeting today. Intelligence sharing, joint early warning systems, and collective prevention efforts form the backbone of regional stability and preventive diplomacy. We support the work of the ACCRA Initiative.


Initiative, the Multinational Joint Task Force and the prospective ECOWAS standby Force. The United Nations and this Council have the tools to support these regional efforts. Security Council resolution 2719 could be helpful in this regard and Slovenia stands ready to discuss further should the region so wish. I thank you.


I thank you.


I thank the representative of Slovenia for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of the Russian Federation.


Representative of the Russian Federation

Mr. President, we welcome your personal participation in the meeting today. We would like to thank the Secretary-General and the ECOWAS Commission President Omar Ture for their reports and we welcome their participation in this meeting on the part of the countries of the region. We are concerned about the developments in the Sahara Sahel region, which in recent years has become a staging ground for terrorist activity as well as for geopolitical and economic games played by a certain number of external actors at the expense of first and foremost peaceful local civilians. In recent weeks, militants of the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims attempted to impose a fuel blockade on Malian towns and this example illustrates a shift in their tactics by terrorist groups clearly supported from outside, including by fairly advanced weapons and technological solutions. Whereas previously they carried out one-off raids and fought large-scale battles on strategic fronts, they now aim to undermine the economy. Terrorists also actively use intimidation tactics against civilians and a glaring example here is the recent public execution of popular Malian blogger Maria Ncisse, a young active woman who spoke in support of Mali's national army. Unfortunately, this situation is accompanied by a broad and externally coordinated information campaign aimed at destabilizing this situation in the countries of Sahel. Three who are friendly to us. Anti-government disinformation and terrorist propaganda and appeals are being widely circulated and this is being actively picked up and amplified by American French media. For example, the RFI agency recently published an interview with Mr. Martinez, head of the center for International Studies, claiming that Mali is, I quote, the most suitable candidate for creating a new center for a Caliphate, end of quote. Allegedly due to Bamako's isolation from France and some regional states on November 14, a fabricated statement was spread in the media falsely claiming that Mali's General Staff was to introduce mandatory military service starting December 1st for citizens aged 18 to 45. And there also false narratives are increasing in number about Russia's position. Against this background, what was not surprising was the decision made by Mali's High Communications Authority to suspend broadcast by LCI and TF1, which were found to disseminate materials justifying terrorism and inciting destabilization. Recently in Burkina Faso, an entire espionage network was uncovered. It was led by an EU funded international NGO protection organization which conveyed to foreign states confidential military, political and administrative information about the country. We note that recently, and thanks in part to Russian forces escorting fuel convoys, the situation in Mali seems to be trending towards improving. The number of refueling stations has increased several fold. And on the 10th of November school has resumed in Mali schools which after a two-week closure and in the face of increased terrorist threat, an interagency committee to manage crises is working actively and is chaired by the Prime Minister of Mali. And we can see also that Mali's population firmly supports governance efforts to ensure the country's energy sovereignty. In these current and challenging circumstances, the AES countries continue to strengthen their joint efforts against terrorism. It's important to note here that the current dire situation there is not the fault of these states. It is a direct consequence of the West's destructive intervention in Libya in 2011. Regional countries are fighting terrorist threats and challenges but need genuine international assistance. The kind that doesn't have a hidden agenda or double standards. For example, in the last month the Sahel Confederation conducted another round of successful operations in the Liptako Gurma Triangle as a result of which a number of terrorists leaders of gangs were eliminated. We expect that Mali's and other AES states' international partners will stop aggravating in a really difficult situation and instead will provide decisive support based on the requests and needs of the respective governments. When considering how to combat terrorism in West Africa, we also need to remember the need to counter financial flows to terrorism and stem the sources of weaponry. Recent analytical materials from the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate note that most weapons in the Sahel used by the Islamic State in the Greater Sahel come from the black market or are being seized during attacks on security forces. Mr. President, when it comes to regional initiatives and the financial frameworks we have under Security Council resolution 2719, well for their implementation, what is required is painstaking work to overcome existing disagreements so as to restore trust and clearly understanding of who and what territory fight against terrorism is going to be conducted and readiness to bear responsibility and also have the consent of host governments. Otherwise, such efforts will repeat the fate of the G5 Sahel Joint Force. At this stage, AES countries have every reason to be skeptical of such regional initiatives. Lest we forget that it was only two years ago when ECOWAS was seriously considering a military intervention to Niger to restore so-called law and order. Countries had harsh economic sanctions imposed against them and they primarily harmed the peaceful civilians. Membership of the AES States in the African Union remains suspended. Effectively this excludes them from regional decision-making processes. Against this backdrop, we noted the statement made by the AU Commission Chair Mahmoud Ali Yousuf on November 9. In this statement, he calls for a decisive, coordinated and consistent international response to terrorism and extremism in the Sahel. It is important to make sure that here we should have genuine African solidarity. Regional counterterrorism initiatives are unthinkable without the consent of the AES governments. Also adherence to the UN Charter and pragmatic assessments of realities on the ground. The Russian Federation supports, assists African countries in their fight against international terrorism and builds cooperation with them on the basis of principles of respect and equality. We will continue to strengthen the capacity of law enforcement and armed forces in the AES States, including through training their specialists. We see broad opportunity here to assist African national counterterrorism institutions using UN specialized structures, particularly the UN Office of Counterterrorism. We are convinced that today more than ever, it is vital to provide technical assistance to African States in such areas as border security, information exchange and countering terrorist financing. Projects to prevent terrorist use of weapons and improve interagency coordination in Africa, supported by the Russian Federation have received extremely highly positive feedback from African partners. I thank you for your attention.


I thank the representative of the Russian Federation for the statement and I now give the floor to the representative of Somalia. Mr. President, I would like to begin by thanking Sierra Leone for convening this timely and important briefing on peace consolidation in West Africa and the Sahel region. We also thank the Secretary-General and the President of the ECOWAS Commission for the briefings. We welcome the participation of Mali on behalf of the alliance of Sahel States as well as Senegal, Burkina Faso, Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire. In this meeting, the situation of West Africa and Sahel remains deeply fragile. Terrorist groups continue to expand their reach, undermine state authority and inflict immense suffering on civilian populations, mainly women and children. Against this backdrop, I wish to highlight three key points. First, the rapid evolution of the terrorist groups demands stronger coordinated regional action. The growing operational strength of groups such as JNIM, ISGS and ISWAP, including their use of drones, improvised explosive devices and complex coordinated attacks, show that terrorism in this Sahel region is not only persistent but rapidly evolving. These groups have developed the ability to move across borders, disrupt supply routes, seize economic assets and impose blockades on the communities, demonstrating a dangerous level of organization and adaptability. Somalia underscores the urgent need for enhanced intelligence sharing, joint border operations and rapid response capabilities across the region. We welcome ECOWAS's renewed attention to strengthening counterterrorism coordination and encourage sustained dialogue between ECOWAS and Sahelian countries, including members of AES, to ensure that political differences do not undermine the collective security response. Fragmentation only benefits terrorist networks. Coordination is essential. Second, military operations must be matched with governance, service delivery and resilience-building efforts. Our own experience in Somalia has shown that military pressure, no matter how effective it is, cannot defeat terrorism unless it's accompanied by the visible and trusted presence of the state. Extremist groups thrive where governance is weak, where citizens lack access to justice and services, and where communities feel abandoned. The recent blockade in Mali, attacks on vital transport corridors and attempts by terrorist groups to impose parallel governance structures underscore how extremists exploit governance vacuums. We therefore stress the need to strengthen national institutions, restore essential services in newly established and stabilized areas, and support local governance, policing and justice capacity. Our national experience has also taught us that DDR is indispensable. Disarmament and disintegration of former fighters gives individuals, particularly youth, a path out of violence and undercuts extremist recruitment efforts. Sustained investment in livelihood and inclusive opportunity is just as crucial. Peace and security cannot root without reconciliation, development and programs that help marginalized communities, especially young people who escape the cycle of violence. Third, predictable, sustainable and coordinated international support for Africa-led responses is very essential. The magnitude of the threat requires a coherent and well-resourced regional strategy. Resolution 2719 of 2023 provides an important framework for enabling predictable and sustainable financing for African Union-led peace support operations. We encourage the Council to continue exploring how this framework can be applied to strengthen regional counterterrorism and stabilization efforts.


In West Africa and Sahel.


Our delegation also welcomes the ongoing discussion on strengthening the ECOWAS standby force and ACCRA initiatives and calls for robust international backing, financial, logistical and technical to ensure this mechanism can deliver results. In doing so, international partners should prioritize support to national governments whose leadership and ownership are indispensable to any lasting solutions. Efforts to build resilience and security must respect national sovereignty, regional frameworks and international law, including human rights and humanitarian principles. Mr. President, Somalia stands in full solidarity with the countries of West Africa and the Sahel as they confront a threat that endangers regional and international peace and security. Our delegation commends their determination and resilience in addressing this challenge and reaffirms our readiness to share lessons learned from our own fight against terrorism. We remain committed to working with all partners within the African Union, ECOWAS and the United Nations to strengthen regional cooperation, empower national governments which is essential for any success and address the root causes of instability in a comprehensive and sustainable manner. I thank you.


I thank the representative of Somalia for the statement and now give the floor to the representative of France. Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to thank the Secretary-General and the President of ECOWAS, Dr. Omar Toure, for their remarks. In your remarks, I think you've not only given us an analysis of the situation but proposed specific ways forward for this Council. I also thank Sierra Leone for organizing this meeting at a time when the situation in West Africa and the Sahel requires full focus by this Council. And you, Mr. President of the Republic, are making efforts on behalf of ECOWAS to re-establish dialogue and find paths towards de-escalation. And finally, I welcome the participation of countries of the region: Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, Senegal, Burkina Faso and Ghana here with us in the meeting. Mr. President, several have said this. The Sahel has become the main epicenter of terrorist violence, accounting alone for more than half of the deaths linked to terrorism recorded worldwide last year. Branches of the main jihadist movements, the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda are established there and their advance poses an increasing threat not just to the states of Central Sahel, but also to the Gulf of Guinea, as evidenced by the surge in attacks in coastal countries. The security and humanitarian situation has become particularly worrying in Mali, where JNIM declared an energy blockade on Bamako at the beginning of September. We firmly condemn the intolerable violence perpetrated by terrorist groups and the threat that terrorism poses to stability in the region as well as to international peace and security. This situation calls for a collective response over and above the necessary action against terrorist groups; priority must be given to restoring regional dialogue and trust. Several speakers have addressed this. The dismantling, weakening of the regional institutional architecture in recent years has made the region more vulnerable. It's essential to reverse this trend and return to cooperation and information sharing in the face of the growing terrorist threat. France welcomes the efforts that you are undertaking in this regard, Mr. President of the Republic and Chair of ECOWAS. The rapid worsening of the situation in the Sahel reminds us that exclusively military solutions cannot suffice, especially when they are tainted by violence against civilian populations. To be effective, counter-terrorism efforts must follow a comprehensive approach that addresses not just the root causes of the scourge, but also access to funding and arms ideology. Their crimes cannot go unpunished. We must also fight the root causes and the drivers of recruitment. This approach includes preserving fundamental rights and freedoms, strengthening governance structures and the rule of law, supporting the resilience of the most vulnerable communities and combating disinformation and the spread of extremist content. Mr. President, the United Nations provides a coherent framework for counterterrorism which includes the sanctions adopted by this Council, the analyses and recommendations of the Counterterrorism Executive Directorate and the capacity-building programmes conducted by UNOCT. The United Nations also provides cooperation frameworks such as the one proposed by Resolution 2719. Implementing such a framework requires a shared vision between the Security Council and the African Union. But what is above all required is an agreement within the region on its needs and on the response to be provided to the threat. Mr. President, France will continue to support the relevant United Nations programs and contribute to strengthening African counterterrorism capacities. My country will continue to work with all partners in the region who wish to do so within a framework that respects international law. France has fought alongside the Sahel armies to fight terrorism in the Sahel and we are linked to the region by strong human contacts. We will remain alongside you and we are prepared to support you to face common challenges as we vigilantly respect the rule of law and the sovereignty of your countries.


Thank you for the statement and I give the floor to the representative of Guyana.


Thank you, Mr. President. Guyana thanks Sierra Leone for organizing today's briefing on enhancing regional counterterrorism cooperation in West Africa and the Sahel. A topic of high priority for the A3. Thank you, President Bio, for your instructive statement and indeed for all your efforts.


We also thank Secretary-General Mr. Antonio Guterres and Dr. Omar Ali Ture, President of the ECOWAS Commission, for the insights and recommendations. Mr. President, the challenges confronting West Africa and the Sahel are a clear demonstration of the interlinkages between peace and development. In recent years, the sub-region has seen an alarming escalation of terrorist activities, which further compounds the already severe humanitarian crises plaguing several countries in the region due to conflict, climate change and political instability. These factors are deeply interconnected with ongoing development challenges, including persistent poverty, high levels of food insecurity, and limited economic opportunities for an expanding youth population. Together, these create fertile breeding grounds for terrorist activities. This, however, is not news to anyone in this room. The challenges facing West Africa and the Sahel are quite visible and have been well elaborated in many Security Council discussions and resolutions. Similarly, it is widely recognized that the response to these interconnected challenges and the increasingly networked character of the terrorist threat must be comprehensive, sustained and coordinated, simultaneously targeting both the root causes and immediate consequences. Where then lies the gap and what specific enablers should be prioritized to enhance the effectiveness of African-led solutions already on the table? First, we must address the issue of external disruptive influences. They appear in many forms, creating barriers for effective collaboration among the countries in the region. By sowing distrust and discord and exploiting governance deficits, this hinders the development and implementation of unified, resilient mechanisms that could help the region move to more comprehensive strategies that are capable of addressing the interlinked challenges of terrorism, humanitarian crises, and persistent development gaps in a sustainable way. Recognizing and understanding how these external actors perpetuate instability by undermining regional cooperation is essential for developing a comprehensive response to strengthen regional counterterrorism cooperation and promote lasting peace and development in West Africa and the Sahel. As terrorist groups intensify their collaboration with transnational criminal organizations engaging in the illicit trafficking of weapons, fuel and minerals to finance their operations, it is imperative that governments also enhance their coordination and cooperation. The African Union has advanced several strategies and initiatives to enhance the effectiveness of and coordination of the region's response. Their successful implementation, however, requires regional states, the United Nations, and the wider international community to demonstrate clear unity of purpose in not only countering the immediate challenges, but also the disruptive forces that create vulnerabilities in the governance and security landscape. Second, it is important to take a closer look at gaps in support for key counterterrorism initiatives, including the Accra Initiative and the proposed ECOWAS standby force. The effectiveness of these initiatives depends heavily on ongoing and committed financial support from the international community. With the Sahel region now recognized as the epicenter of global terrorism, these mechanisms continue to offer an important pathway to strengthen collective security in West Africa and the Sahel. Ensuring that they are fully operationalized and effective, however, requires strengthened coordination and cooperation with the United Nations and wider international community through increased investments in capacity building, improved cross-border intelligence sharing and enhanced sustainable financing. Moreover, as highlighted during the launch of the key takeaways from the 2025 Challenges Forum earlier this month, there must be stronger partnerships between the United Nations, the African Union and sub-regional organizations where each has a clearly defined role anchored in its comparative advantages and based on shared legitimacy, burden sharing and mutual accountability. Recognizing that terrorism and transnational organized crime respect no borders and that the operationalization of Resolution 2719 in support of AU-led peace operations corresponds to the shared responsibility of the international community to support sustainable peace and security in the region. The Security Council must work in concert with the other organs of the United Nations to enhance collaboration and partnerships with the region and reinforce the principle that regional stability in Africa benefits all. This also requires integrating military responses with robust governance, development and human rights approaches in a manner that aligns the response with national and regional priorities. Within this framework, it is essential to ensure women's full, equal, meaningful and safe participation in peace and security efforts and adequate funding. Toward this end, we also support the deployment of Women Protection Advisors to UNOWAS. Finally, Mr. President, terrorism does not have a permanent region of choice. We have seen the shifts over time, including the recent shift from the Middle East to Africa. As such, while West Africa and the Sahel is currently bearing the brunt of this scourge, if it is not addressed it could easily spread to other parts of the globe or return to areas previously affected. As you rightly reminded Mr. President, this is just not a West African crisis. It is therefore in the interest of the entire international community to support all efforts that promote coordinated, effective and well-resourced regional counterterrorism initiatives. We firmly believe that enhancing regional ownership is vital and this must be achieved through robust and well-aligned international support that respects and reinforces the priorities established by the African Union and sub-regional organizations. The members of the Security Council must play an active role in supporting these initiatives by consistently prioritizing the interests and well-being of the people of West Africa and the Sahel. All must resist the temptation to view the region merely as an arena for zero-sum competition and instead ensure that international contributions are harmonized to support lasting peace, security and development. I thank you.


I thank the representative of Guyana for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Côte d'Ivoire, MERCI.


Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, my delegation is honored to take the floor in front of this August assembly on the occasion of this important session dedicated to consolidating peace in West Africa under the enlightened presidency of His Excellency Dr. Julius Madar Bio, President of the Security Council of Sierra Leone. And we address fraternal greetings to you. We would like to take this opportunity to salute your leadership and the remarkable work accomplished at the head of the sub-regional organization ECOWAS. Mr. Toure. Mr. President, Côte d'Ivoire welcomes this briefing on an issue of absolute urgency which while primarily affecting West Africa and the Sahel countries, also is a major challenge for international peace and stability given the manifestations of the phenomenon and its scope. And we thank the Secretary-General and the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Toure, for their enlightening presentations. Mr. President, the terrorist threat in West Africa and the Sahel has reached unprecedented scale and severity and it has made the region for two consecutive years the global epicenter of terrorism. This situation has unfortunately deteriorated sharply recently with a growing number of attacks and territorial advances made by jihadist groups, particularly in Mali. Worryingly, the threat is also spreading towards southern coastal areas and states. This situation is all the more concerning as countries in the region seeking ownership of the response have for several years deployed many national, bilateral, and sub-regional efforts to counter this challenge. And this was done often with the support of international partners. Important initiatives have emerged such as the Accra Initiative which is a collaborative mechanism to combat violent extremism and terrorism in the region. Also the G5 Sahel and the ECOWAS standby force which was designed to provide a structured response to asymmetric threats. And Côte d'Ivoire, an international academy has been operational since 2021 and the goal here was to ultimately foster a culture of counterterrorism across Africa. However, insufficient resources and the fragmentation of these various frameworks is a real handicap and undermines the effectiveness of these instruments, despite their advantage in promoting solutions adapted to sub-regional realities. Mr. President, in this context, increased engagement and greater mobilization by the international community and in particular the Security Council toward sustainable and effective unity of action is indispensable and this must first take the form of support for strengthening the capacities of affected states, notably through assistance provided under evaluation visits authorized by the Counterterrorism Committee and conducted by its Executive Directorate. My country, which had two such evaluations in 2018 and 2024, can attest to their significant contribution to tangible progress by identifying specific assistance needs and facilitating their implementation. We advocate for these evaluations to be more firmly embedded in a regional approach. Furthermore, it is essential that the Security Council actively work to consolidate international cooperation and above all, coordinate all regional efforts. This is a necessary precondition for achieving decisive and sustained results through revitalizing existing mechanisms, in particular the ACCRA initiative. Similarly, my delegation calls for the implementation of the review conducted in February 2024 by UNOVAS and UNODC to determine the role Côte d'Ivoire could play through the comprehensive approach of the International Academy of Jacqueville. Moreover, the Security Council must promote integrated solutions combining prevention, counter-radicalization, socio-economic development and better management of the humanitarian consequences of this phenomenon, particularly the growing influx of refugees from the Sahel. In this regard, it's important to accelerate the operationalization of the Integrated Border Stability Mechanism in West Africa, which is aimed at improving land border governance and cross-border cooperation. Additionally, as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Women, Peace and Security agenda, priority must be given to the situation of women, one of the most affected strata of the population. Mechanisms to combat violent extremism that are more gender-sensitive should be encouraged, as exemplified by actions undertaken in my country under the second generation of the National Action Plan for Implementing Resolution 1325. Furthermore, the Security Council must strengthen its involvement in consolidating strategic cooperation between the United Nations, ECOWAS and the African Union, at the heart of which should be the implementation of Resolution 2719 so as to provide adequate support for African anti-terrorist and stabilization operations. In conclusion, Côte d'Ivoire calls for stronger international solidarity in favor of West Africa and the Sahel States, enabling a response commensurate with the real scale of the terrorist threat tragically confronting this region. Thank you, Mr. President.


I thank the representative of Côte d'Ivoire for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Mali.